Hisa Launches Hisa 2.0, Delivering the Investing Experience African Investors Deserve
“This is more than just an update; it’s a complete rebuild,” said Leah Njoroge, COO at Hisa. “We’ve reimagined the platform from the ground up to deliver a faster experience, simplify investing, and lay the foundation for the next phase of growth.”
Faulu Loss Halves to KSh 496 Mn, NPL Edges toward 30%
Faulu Microfinance Bank, a member of the Old Mutual Group, narrowed its net loss 50.8% to 496.4 Mn for the full year ended 31 December 2025, from 1.010 Bn in 2024. Total income fell 8.8% to 3.091 Bn as loan interest contracted on a shrinking advances book. Staff costs were cut 28.9% to 889.2 Mn and finance costs fell 71.0% to 101.0 Mn after external borrowings were fully repaid. Capital ratios remain below statutory minimums, with core capital to deposits at 6.7% against an 8.0% floor.
March Wipes KSh 343Bn From NSE Shareholders as Middle East War Bites
The NSE closed March 2026 with every major index down between 8.5% and 10.5%. The NSE 10 led losses at -10.49%, the Banking Index fell 8.89%, and the NASI declined 9.84%. Only 7 of 69 listed stocks gained. Foreign investors sold KSh 4.28Bn net across 17 of 22 sessions. Market cap fell KSh 179Bn to KSh 3.23Tn, though the KPC listing in early March masks a deeper KSh 343Bn hit to existing shareholders. Week 13 erased KSh 231Bn, the second worst week since 2008. Banks closed at a median 5.4x P/E and 8.3% dividend yield amid record earnings.Qwetu, Qejani operator posts KSh 1.52B Profit as Refinancing Offsets Rental Revenue Slide
Qwetu and Qejani operator Acorn Investment Management posted a combined net profit of 1.52 Bn across its two REITs in 2025, up 9.4%, as a 590 basis point cut in borrowing costs at the income REIT drove a 38% increase in distributions to 0.84 per unit despite a 3.0% decline in rental income. The Development REIT's profit held at 854.22 Mn as rental income more than doubled to 420.14 Mn, though finance costs surged 158.3% to 900.61 Mn to fund an active construction pipeline now extending to Eldoret and Kakamega for the first time.Standard Investment Bank Profit Soars 966% to KSh 1 Bn as Mansa X, Ziidi Drive Record Year
Standard Investment Bank recorded a near-tenfold increase in profit to KES 1.040 billion for the full year ended 31 December 2025, up from KES 97.50 million, driven by a 202.5% rise in financial services revenue to KES 1.553 billion. The Mansa X Special Fund KES closed the year with total assets of KES 107.708 billion, delivering a 20.74% net return to clients. The Ziidi Money Market Fund, co-managed with ALA Capital for Safaricom, reported net assets of KES 15.48 billion for the 14-month period ended December 2025. SIB also broke ground on a KES 3 billion, 32-floor headquarters in Westlands, Nairobi.Radisson Group Plots Zanzibar Entry as it Surpasses 100 Hotels Across Africa
The Group has said it plans to enter Zanzibar and is considering lodge, safari, and affiliation opportunities across Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia.
Afreximbank Underwrites US$ 2.5bn in Dangote Refinery's US$ 4bn Loan
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has underwritten US$2.5 billion in the US$4-billion senior syndicated term loan in favour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP).
Britam Grows After-Tax Profit 10% to KSh 5.54 Bn as Claims Costs Erode Underwriting Gains
Britam Holdings Plc posted a decade-high profit before tax of KSh 7.90 billion in FY2025, up 7.8% from KSh 7.33 billion in 2024. Profit after tax rose 10.0% to KSh 5.54 billion, with EPS advancing to KSh 2.18. Insurance revenue grew 10.9% to KSh 41.65 billion, but the insurance service result fell 31.8% to KSh 3.46 billion on Medical and Motor claims pressure. Net investment income of KSh 31.87 billion cushioned the underwriting shortfall. Total assets reached KSh 243.8 billion. No dividend declared. A KSh 5.875 billion share premium reduction, pending shareholder approval, could restore the dividend pathway for the first time since 2019.4G Capital Raises US$2Mn to Expand Lending to Small Businesses
4G Capital has secured a US$2 million investment from GIF Growth as the East African fintech moves to scale lending to micro- and small-business owners
Lessons from Japan's Keiretsu in Building Sophisticated Kenyan Conglomerates
Lessons from Japan’s Zaibatsu and their post-war successors, the Keiretsu, suggest that sophisticated conglomerates can play a central role in strengthening national competitiveness, expanding industrial capacity, and driving innovation.
Afreximbank Raises US$ 2bn in Oversubscribed Three-Year Loan
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has concluded a new three-year Dual Tranche Syndicated Term Loan Facility totaling US$2 billion equivalent.Marriott Debuts in Cape Verde with Four Points by Sheraton São Vicente Resort
Marriott International has debuted in Cape Verde with Four Points by Sheraton São Vicente Resort, above Laginha Beach within the cultural hub of São Vicente.
